Today I tasted the battle of the blends. An epic battle royale between two iconic red wines made by Hester Creek Estate Winery. Wines of phenomenal origin and destiny, The Judge and Garland are crafted from the best barrels in their cellar, and are an authentic expression of our South Okanagan terroir. These are heavy bottles with solid corks.
Their The Judge 2022, is made with 47% Merlot, 34% Cabernet Franc, 17% Cabernet Sauvignon, 1% Petit Verdot, and 1% Malbec. Garland 2022, is made with 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, 4% Malbec, and 9% Petit Verdot. You may notice the difference in percentages of Cabernet Sauvignon vs Cabernet Franc. Classic left bank vs right bank in Bordeaux. Can you guess which wine matches which bank?
Hester Creek Estate Winery Garland 2022 (BC ~$64.99 for 2021 vintage)
Winemaker’s notes, “Made up of four varietals, the Petit Verdot and Malbec were hand harvested on October 12, with the Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc being handpicked on November 9. All the bunches were hand sorted and destemmed with the whole berries going into our Ganimede fermentation tanks to be cold soaked for two days prior to fermentation. The Petit Verdot and Malbec were co-fermented to create an infusion of aromas and flavours, and the Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc were fermented separately to pull out its distinctive characteristics. The lots were then cross blended and barrelled down into exclusively French oak where they aged for 24 months and were subsequently racked, blended and bottled in May 2025.”
Appearance: An opaque, dull, black-garnet colour from the core, almost to the rim.
Nose: Subtle, medium intensity aromas of capsicum (that fades and is replaced by cocoa), plums, red fruits, and touches of cinnamon and cedar. Lighter aromas after decanting, with more black fruit scent and no cedar.
Palate: It is dry, medium-plus body, with a silky smooth, soft, round, but not quite mouth filling mouthfeel. A blend of red and black fruits, plums, black cherries, and touches of cinnamon, vanilla, and candied cherries. There is also some pepperiness. Light oak and brighter acidity. The wine lightens up to medium body, and you get more juicy berry fruit flavour plus red fruits and a touch of floral to add.
Finish: A medium-plus to a long length finishing with tart, bright red fruits, sweet cherries, and touches of cinnamon, pepperiness and oakiness. Medium intensity drying tannins on the finish. No change to the finish after decanting.
A delicious, understated wine. Very balanced. No need to decant, but it also tastes great the next day.
Rating: 
– Hester Creek Estate Winery Garland 2022 shows an opaque black-garnet colour with aromas of capsicum, plums, red fruits, cocoa, cinnamon, and cedar, which transition to black fruit aromas after decanting. The palate is silky and smooth with red and black fruits, plums, black cherries, and touches of cinnamon, vanilla, candied cherries, and pepper, gaining more juicy berry and floral notes with air. It finishes medium-plus to long with bright red fruits, sweet cherries, cinnamon, pepper, and oak, supported by medium drying tannins.
Hester Creek Estate Winery The Judge 2022 (BC $49.99)
Winemaker’s notes, “The long growing season of 2022 made for an extensive harvest with all the grapes being hand picked. The Petit Verdot and Malbec were the first to be harvested on October 12, and were followed by the Cabernet Sauvignon on October 27, Merlot on October 28, and finally the Cabernet Franc on December 1. Each bunch of grapes was hand sorted and destemmed into our Ganimede fermentation tanks where they were cold soaked for two days prior to fermentation. The Petit Verdot and Malbec were co-fermented with the rest of the lots being fermented separately. After the primary and malolactic fermentations, the lots were blended and barrelled down into a combination of new and neutral French oak for a subtle oak integration. They were aged in their respective barrels for 24 months, then racked, cross blended and bottled on May 7, 2025.”
Appearance: This wine has a deep, dull garnet colour in the glass.
Nose: Pleasing, medium intensity aromas of red and black fruits, plums, toast, vanilla and other sweet spices, red cherries and oak. Quite a blend of aromas. Same aromas and intensity after decanting.
Palate: It is dry, medium bodied, with a soft, smooth mouthfeel. Medium-minus chalky tannins and medium acidity. Juicy berries, red and black fruit flavours, plums, plus touches of candied red cherries, sweet spices and pepperiness. No change to body, tannins or acidity after decanting. I did pick up hints of capsicum and cocoa on the palate.
Finish: Medium-plus to long length, finishing with ripe red and black fruit flavours, lingering cherry flavour, some candied cherries and light pepperiness. Medium intensity drying tannins at the end. After decanting, you can add some tarter fruit flavours.
An elegant wine where nothing sticks out. You get persistent fruit aromas and flavours. No need to decant, but also no rush to drink at once.
Rating: – Hester Creek Estate Winery The Judge 2022 shows a deep garnet colour with aromas of red and black fruits, plums, toast, vanilla, sweet spices, cherries, and oak, remaining consistent after decanting. The palate is medium bodied with a smooth mouthfeel, offering juicy berries, plums, cherries, sweet spice, pepper, and hints of capsicum and cocoa, supported by medium acidity and chalky tannins. It finishes medium-plus to long with ripe fruit, lingering cherry, candied notes, and light pepper, adding some tarter fruit flavours after decanting.
Both are excellent quality wines and can age 5-10 years. The only thing that I would ask is to have lighter weight bottles. These are very heavy.
Did you guess that The Judge is like right bank and Garland is like left bank Bordeaux wine blends?
Where Can I Buy These Wines?
Both wines are available for purchase online from the Hester Creek Estate Winery website:
Both wines are available at BC Liquor stores, select Save on Foods and Everything Wine stores.
